Why your major will never matter | Megan Schwab | TEDxFSU

[@owenwu7995]

"You can be anything you want son, doctor or engineer"- Asian father

[@aarshmalek1302]

Owen Wu so true 😂!

[@zachwen8922]

Speaking from experience there **..cough cough** memories*** tears eyes ***

[@user-rf4vc7mt4d]

This is giving me depression because my dad is forcing me to go with biochemistry, and I'm probably gonna get a 1 on my AP Bio exam. FML, probably gonna end up killing myself as well

[@charlescxgo7629]

Lyrical what do you want to do?

[@MrThinkEncourager]

@Lyrical Spiritual Miracle. Just check the job market. I think biochemistry is a marketing scheme just like the "STEM" trend. Look into community college if you can. It's a lesser of the two evils when it's them versus Universities.

[@abdullayounus7542]

yea bill gates and mark dropped out of college, but got into Harvard and that says a lot.

[@justinparker7902]

Sharashka Shashka no it doesn't. Richard Branson didnt go

[@nathanosafoomane6224]

@@justinparker7902 after having attended Stowe School

[@ShidaiTaino]

Abdullah Younis and they come from wealthy, influencial families

[@volitionant9682]

They were already above and beyond college. Harvard was holding them back.

[@sunchi11]

They r hard worker that’s the reason

[@Alxxisk]

if this girl don't stop sprinting around the stage the camera man is struggling

[@honeybrown88]

Thank you I am a 30 year old single mom going back to school, and this TEDTalk gave me the hope to continue through. Thank you!!!!

[@meggin9202]

I'm so glad if it helped! Congratulations on going back to school and getting your degree! That takes serious guts, and you're awesome!

[@evaserna6421]

"What's your major?" is definitely the question that is always asked at family gatherings, it's also one of the most annoying questions followed by: "When do you graduate?" It's important to communicate about your goals and visions with the family; however, it is very overwhelming to be asked these questions constantly, I sometimes just want to scream, "I'M TRYING". Overall, I really enjoyed this video because Schwab is a very helpful Academic Advisor who seems to really listen to the students and what they are planning to do in the future.

[@behappyyy8925]

I FEEL YOU!!!

[@robtheservantof6257]

I hear you, The constant Asking just Makes me want to be a Ghost sometimes and Hide.

[@daughterofKing1]

completely dissagree with the part where she says that 93% of employers look for creativity. my experience is totally opposite.

[@faustorcabrera]

daughterofKing1 we don't get paid to think. We get paid to work. Simple as that.

[@tehufn]

daughterofKing1 93% of employers who answered the survey lol

[@thetat2d114]

daughterofKing1 very true,

[@charlescxgo7629]

The truth is creativity will put you heads and heels above everyone in the workplace (including getting work in the first place!) it’s a cliche ‘quality’ they look for as an organization, but let’s face it, none of your bosses or your coworkers would be happy if you did ‘out of the box’ things that challenged their authority/ego, so in a traditional job, there is no room for ‘creativity’...

[@americanuncensorednewsnetw9248]

employers want someone that is trying to help them and can make the company money.

[@MrGiraffeify]

Welp. Time to major in Basket Weaving. Wish me luck guys!

[@AmericanTestConstitution]

MrGiraffes Jr I am going to major in cup cakes.

[@lyte3339]

MrGiraffes Jr cracked me up!

[@zochbuppet448]

You are already there!. how much time do you wast on playing video games? what about social media?

[@charlescxgo7629]

Jokes aside, major in a useful degree, then you can go on to pursue your passion, yes there is a small chance that you could start a 7 figure business selling weaved baskets, but if it fails and you want to support yourself, your degree will be the difference between working at McDonald’s vs 9-5 in office.

[@evanprest6224]

At least it's useful, much superior to social studies. Half the women's studies graduates can't even sew a button. Because it's against their principles. Like soap.

[@lorilaster6729]

I am finding these Ted talks about school trajectory and employment very interesting. Each speaker has a gem to share. That being said: I went to school for the arts, and I was very lucky to be successful after I graduated. I worked at a theater company', wrote an off Broadway play and am award winning arts writer. However, once I hit these dream like benchmarks, I became less fulfilled, less satisfied with my job. I started questioning the value I added to society and wanted to do more. In addition, while I was doing what I loved, I didn't make a lot of money, to put it mildly, and working in the arts provides little security. So I moved on and am pursuing a Phd, which is a story within itself. That being said, while going to school for the arts accumulated substantial debt , I would not have done anything differently. I followed my dreams, and if I hadn't, I think I would have really regretted it, and lived a life plagued with "what ifs?" While I know it is not practical and, in some ways, very "elitist" minded, I still think it's important to encourage youth to follow their dreams. Passion is important; but it definitely needs to be molded and then pointed in the right direction.

[@tkeosaksith]

how much debt have you accumulated?

[@thomasbayer1843]

Lori Laster What if I told you, you could live forever on a paradise earth?

[@willlane1075]

This is a very interesting perspective. May I ask you what you ended up pursuing a PhD in?

[@ichoosemysanity6467]

Not to be mean but if you're a male a natural born man you have to pick your major a little more carefully or get a trade.

[@filtrations]

Michael Robb what?

[@connorskudlarek8598]

The probability of success is an important concept. Don't just look at the success stories, because for every Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey, there is a hundred thousand Gregs that tried and failed. If you're going to pursue a passion, have a "fool proof" backup plan. An engineer trying her hand at teaching martial arts might do well for herself, but if she doesn't then she can always apply to General Electric...

[@jamesdunkerson2908]

I am passionate about woodworking and motorcycling. Being a craftsman does not pay well. Neither does riding motorcycles. Look around at a craft show. The overwhelming number of them are retirees or stay at home wives. Take a look at professional motorcyclists. A very small group, and most are not well paid. But I have children to feed, clothe, house, and educate. I wish I had the brain for a STEM field. But I don't. So I work at a job I hate to make money I need. This is how most of us will live our lives. This is why we call it getting real.

[@BlackGiraffe3]

im suddenly so depressed. But thankful i have a brain for STEM.

[@charlescxgo7629]

This is why young people need to plan well while young of what goals and dreams they want to achieve BEFORE they decide to settle down. Once you’ve got other people dependent on you, it’s a completely different story, you need bills to pay and kids to feed.

[@blakesilvermark1]

Charles Cxgo or don't have kids at all

[@charlescxgo7629]

I was just short of saying that, people don’t think before having children, and then complain how they can’t live their own life because of their children. In the end it’s a vicious cycle, your resentment and blaming guilt trips the children into thinking it’s their fault, while they had no choice to be born into a given situation. Worst yet, that mentality gets passed into their children and they repeat the cycle all over again...what you see happening in the hood with single parents, is happening at large even in two parent families who had selfserving reasons to bring kids into a deprived environment.

[@strattieshots]

“If you look at the successful people who have influenced the world, they did not get to where they are by listening to other people who told them what they should be doing”

[@mariahrauf9167]

It's so important to take your own path and follow your own interests. I feel like this TED talk is focused around not comparing yourself to others in your major and in your potential salary. Do you think a lot of kids get stuck comparing themselves to others and lose their individuality by getting wrapped up in choosing a major?

[@AHLIYON]

FACTS!!! So TRUE 💯

[@tylerdurden2061]

Wow! I always thought a prerequisite for being a brain surgeon was going into med school, I was wrong! Thanks TEDx!

[@Shogun973]

Lmao

[@meggin9202]

Did you know that you can be accepted into med school with a major in dance, english, history, or anything really. Even the Harvard pre-med advisors say so. college.harvard.edu/admissions/hear-our-students/student-blog/commonly-asked-questions-pre-med-edition

[@Shogun973]

Megan Schwab Everton knows that you don't have to cite it. But you have to get your prereqs so you might as well major in a science

[@mrbouncelol]

Megan Schwab Why do you have to say this sort of nonsense? Getting into any medical programme in the USA--let alone HARVARD--is hard enough without hamstringing yourself with a waste of three to four years doing a terrible major... Unless you think that these kids should bet on being picked as a diversity 'hire'... Admissions committees look at a major in English and think "cool, so this person doesn't know what they're doing in life." And it's important that an undergraduate degree serves as a backup plan, which none of those do, at least not a good one that someone capable of even thinking about medical school would be satisfied with.

[@bristynnadeau5508]

Actually when I was looking into majors I read a lot about how many med schools love to admit humanities and arts majors, because it shows a well rounded individual whose not only interested in science but interested in people and the human condition. That’s not to say you can’t major in a science if that’s what you’re truly passionate about. It’s just that you should major into whatever you want to learn for four years and then use those skills plus those needed as med school prereqs to become the best brain surgeon, doctor, or whatever you can be.

[@armanmkhitaryan27]

Taylor Swift will have more houses and cars than you, Megan, but it doesn't mean her life will be as many times better than yours ;) Not everyone measures happiness in money and fame only.

[@benbenson5776]

it helps;)

[@the80386]

^ after a certain point, it doesn't. and most people grossly over estimate that 'point'.

[@hbnsnips5246]

Like Ben said it helps taylor have so much less things to worry about in the present and the future for herself and great great grand kids. Stress is what brings unhappiness

[@coppersense999]

@@hbnsnips5246 can't argue with that. And poverty is a major stressor. Having said that, shall I bring your afternoon tea, Milord? * curtsies

[@citizenofvirginity]

Ben Benson there’s always a price to pay for everything we accomplish/enjoy in life. The name of the game is pay to play. Sometimes you don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

[@chillwill120]

The title of this video is "Why your major will never matter," and the only evidence presented to support this is one single statistic, i.e. less than a quarter of employers look for a specific major. To make matters worse we are not given any details about the study that yielded this statistic. Who exactly are these employers? Do any of them pay a living wage? Perhaps they don't look for a specific major, but perhaps they do not consider candidates who do not pick challenging majors. Do the employers look at the prestige of the University? If so, perhaps your major only matters if you go to a less prestigious school. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that everyone should go to college and study accounting. I think for some people it makes sense to pursue their passion by studying what they love or skipping college altogether. That being said, lot's of people graduate with over 6 figures of debt and 99.9999% will not become the next Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, or Elon Musk; it's irresponsible to tell them that their majors don't matter. For someone who is planning to pursue a graduate degree where a major truly doesn't matter (e.g. Law, Social Work), for someone whose parents will pay for their college degree, or for someone whose Daddy will get him/her a job at Daddy's company upon graduation, perhaps a major doesn't matter. However, for someone who actually needs to worry about paying bills, majors like finance, accounting, nursing, engineering, economics, math etc. will be way more helpful in landing a lucrative job.

[@PlanetaJuegosPC]

she literally told that the study was conducted buy college and universities assosiatoin, yeah, that not totally bias

[@manishasen234]

It's not just your major; it is also about whether you are prudent enough to get work experience related to your studies before you graduate. This is why Co-operative Education programs rule!!

[@MrSridharMurthy]

Yes sir i agree !

[@roxannarivers]

I am currently majoring in English and I can honestly say that even though many people around me think that I will never get a good job with that degree, however, I know that if I am passionate about what I do then it will show in my work and I will be successful.

[@ponongkhoo23]

That's because you've chosen ur passion

[@iomis2001]

Taylor Swift has rich parents that paid her way in. She came from money and had connections. That's a terrible example.

[@tasintamron]

Right. I was smh when she mentioned Taylor Swift. Poor example.

[@duhuh7370]

​@@kathryn8543 Her parents owned the Christmas tree farm. Her dad was a stockbroker and bought a stake of the label she was signed to (Big Machine Records). Nothing against her; her music is great and she seems like a really genuine person, but she isn't the best example for this.

[@supersonic174]

Sometimes you got to do what you have to do, not what you like to do.

[@infamouscrusader3363]

Exactly. One thing I learned in life is that often we are going to do things that we don't want to do, but they have to be done.

[@mariahrauf9167]

do you think it's worth sacrificing the next 50+ years of your life in a job you're not happy with just because you think it's "what you have to do?" Did someone/ something make you think you can't have both?

[@CapSoo999]

Humans are not 100% born for what they like. There will always be something you don't like.

[@robtheservantof6257]

@@mariahrauf9167 great point

[@Writermakescoffeeforawriter]

And what you’ve got to do is basically that which you like 😊

[@aissa196]

This has validity, but to an extent. All the things she said do very well apply to young people, but when you're 50 with 4 kids, its a little different. That's how I feel but everybody is entitled to what feels right to them. Love Yourself Dear Friend

[@MsKimiV]

I do think that this is a great way to think of majors. You do what you want to do which in turn will make you happy. Being happy in a job will mean you're never gonna feel like it's work. It'll be something you love and you will earn a good living doing something that you're passionate about. I believe she really hit the nail.

[@Confessions089]

How realistic is that, and is that something that is an option for everyone or just a few?

[@traversecitymall3144]

Here's a concept, whatever job you take, even if it isn't your ideal job or pays the best, stick with it to learn as much as you can that you can use to develop those skills that employers are looking for. I get so many applicants who have had 15 jobs in the last two years that it blows me away. Why on earth should I invest our company resources in someone who won't stick around long enough? Regardless of the job, just become the very best at it. Show future employers your drive to excel.

[@vanessabarajas9]

History major. Thinking of found a minor or double in the arts. My professor from community college always said “it doesn’t matter what you do here as long as you have finished your major with a BA and it’ll open doors. Employers will hire you because they know one facts that you were determined to finished school. Just keep going.”

[@PortlandMan]

I actually have first-hand experience of this as I am studying computer science and I was offered a police investigator role which said that it doesn't matter what degree you've got as long as you have good critical thinking skills

[@TyroneBiggums789]

How are you now ? Did you take the job?

[@peterdeng1620]

this presentation is so misleading I am telling ya. In reality, many entry-level jobs very specifically require a degree in certain fields. If you are not in those fields, you are not in the game.

[@crystalgoodwin2184]

The the world becoming more and more innovative, and I love this message. I'm an aspiring screenwriter, and I'm currently enrolled in an online course. In the course, the professional screenwriter explains that only 3% of aspiring screenwriters actually make it as a profession. Most of them never even finish their first script. Those who do usually quit after their first rejection, or only half-heartedly seek an agent or advancement. Only 3% of aspiring screenwriters keep working on it, and they all succeed eventually. It's about discipline and perseverance, and those who end up succeeding are those who have passion for screenwriting and are persistent on following their dreams. Passion is what lets you keep moving forward when the road gets tough.

[@PlanetaJuegosPC]

so ScreenWriters have 97% unemployment?

[@niory]

Thank you ... though I already knew this but hearing it again is what we all need to remember to shut of the noise from the outside world and turn on the volume of our inner voice !

[@thomasbayer1843]

sara meachel Can I ask you for an update Sara?

[@niory]

Thomas Bayer I am doing really good .... I graduated as an architect and now i am doing what i trully love and i am passionate about my work ... Has little to do with architecture but designing is always part of what i do ... I am happy and so good at what i do ... I am trully greatful for being able to achieve what i want in such a young age ...

[@kalkeikuu]

This woman needs to get to the point. More then half of the video through, and still hasn't gotten to the point. She should take up a speech course in college.

[@victorreyes5240]

It seems like we lost our focus doing something that you love and started to focus on only value from our major. Hopefully people realize that any job is a "real job".

[@calypsokane150]

I have to say, my heart feels about a ton lighter after watching this. All I can ever think about sometimes is how unrealistic so many of my goals are, especially in today's economy. Things like this piece always help chip away at the 'un.'

[@MrSridharMurthy]

Controversial but true. Nice talk. Thanks ! Life has an uncanny way of rewarding those who study, work hard, and persevere. No one can predict where your dreams will lead to but you can bet it will be a great ride. Bon voyage ! 🙂

[@Wangste002]

This was a very cliche TED Talk.

[@stubb1qaz]

It has 3 pieces of data: 19% 78% and 93%. Other than that, you are right - cliche.

[@EtherealMarksman]

says the white collared man, disliking the career he's in as he contemplates the comment he reads trying to comfort his career path decision and tell himself he does enjoy his job.

[@andreysc2677]

@@EtherealMarksman lol

[@alexrhodes6695]

@@EtherealMarksman how can you decipher that from a comment on KZbin?

[@EtherealMarksman]

@@alexrhodes6695 Not a clue.

[@TheQtip96]

I study I.T. in college and I don't have my degree yet, but I wanted to see if I could get an entry-level position while I was in school to get some experience. I applied to probably like 20+ jobs, and again "entry level." I got rejected by every single one of them. None of them ever asked me once about my creativity. They didn't consider me because I don't have a degree or experience. So yeah, sometimes you do need a degree (but obviously not always).

[@AmericanTestConstitution]

employers want slaves.

[@behappyyy8925]

I have always wanted to be in film and music as my major and one day become a singer/actress. But life happened and life is about survival mode and stability. I am taking up nursing and definitely not my dream job but for survival. It feels good to help people and it makes you feel accomplished too. But sometimes you forget to take care of yourself and no time for your family nor friends. Pre med and Medical courses is dedication and you won't really have time or limited time with having fun in life in general. Nursing is very stressful and hard. I have always valued inner happiness and peace. But sometimes nursing makes me overthink which definitely doesn't bring me peace and happiness. But I am doing this all for God. I have to finish it for my future and to be successful. Someday after I am hopefully done with pre med I would want to pursue my dream for film and music once again. But I can say education is also important and stable careers can help us because no one can take education from you.

[@Jake12220]

This only works if they person has enough self drive, financial stability/support and enough raw ability to be successful. Most people that try to follow a dream will loose interest after running out of money or simply find out that no matter how hard they try there are a hundred people that are naturally way better at it that they could ever be. What we need to teach kids is that while hard work and determination can get you far, that without innate talent or ability then they will just be wasting their time and money trying to achieve things they will never succeed at. Life can be hard, life can be brutal, unfortunately academics generally live in a closed off rather idealised world. These are not the people we should have teaching the youth. To be a teacher of anything past primary school life experience in the workforce (preferably outside of the government sector) should be a prerequisite.

[@learningtho582]

some people took the message wrong. she didnt say someone can 'overnight' become a doctor, engineer or a surgeon. those types of careers take time and dedication. you can be what you want to be, if you are able to put in all the efforts.

[@waseemfaris5644]

Oh boy what a stunning presentation you gave Megan. I can relate to this so easily. and I think the reason why the audience was so silent because every one of them was thinking of every word you said. I think this is not only a problem within the US, it's an international problem, families pushing their children to college and to get a major.

[@davebehaveok]

When I came home, I stopped pursuing my degree because I thought I might of made a grave mistake. I doubted myself. But after a long time of working jobs that did pay me well, I was never really doing what I wanted to be doing, which was to write. But now im financially stable I now have the option to pursue what I dreamed. Hopefully it leads to something more.

[@xiaohanjiang4960]

I am still doing what I don’t want to be doing. 😢 I don’t know when it will end. I have to save enough money for another degree in another field I love.

[@xiaohanjiang4960]

I already got my masters and had been working for 3 years now. I just finished paying off debt for my masters( my parents helped me a bit,too)

[@djcarver6330]

No. I can be what I want to be. And I actually know that for a fact. Once I set my mind to something, nothing is really stopping me. I usually want reasonable stuff though so that might be why.

[@JohnSmith-en9yb]

I really enjoyed the talk even though, This is terrible advice for anyone going into the stem fields! Your degree/major does matter, because you will actually use and put into practice what you've learnt in your studies.

[@linhkhanh8857]

From my perspective, i totally agree with her shared thought from the video above. It is widely approved that college is important, especially countries in Asia like Vietnam. Maybe college is not the only way to success but it is the shortest one to get there. University environment, which inundates all significant tools for your own major, is one of the first chances to develop critical thinking skills, explore alternative options that you have never seen before, also, to open horizons thanks to the school’s extra-curricular activities. With today’s competitive career environment, requiring a degree would be a striking distinction from other employees for the companies to choose.

[@thegriffinpages3074]

You can't be whatever you want. You are constrained by your own capabilities as well as the market. What you need to do is find out what you are good at and what you enjoy - do that. A lot of people want to be big-time singers, but if they can't hold a tune, it doesn't matter what they want. Some go to voice lessons and come out pretty good singers but the majority don't go to voice lesson and put in the WORK, so they'll never be singers. Even for the ones that do come out good singers after voice lessons - if they can't find a way to broadcast their music or someone to sing with, then they can't be singers.

[@hectorlopez4407]

The Griffin Pages key phrase “put in the work.” Anything is possible if you put the work and dedication to it.

[@anhduy5611]

"You can be anything you want to be when you grow up" is a prominent quote in society. Unfortunately, the truth is that some people can be anything, not everyone. Moreover, there is a common belief that truly achieving the dream job is equivalent to undergoing 4 steps process consists of following rules, possessing a degree, finding a real job, and the essential element is choosing the appropriate major due to its influence on the forthcoming career. However, "You" is the main and crucial factor. Disregarding outside perceptions, consistently pursuing your passion, making connections with other people who share the same dream to create momentum to gain success, and listening to your own voice to define precisely the aim.

[@JohnBowl14690]

The statistics are well documented between those with degrees and those without. Overwhelmingly, those with degrees are much better paid on average.

[@lzal3583]

Hate to tell her, but to be a nurse, you DO need a degree. I teach nursing. And most employers are looking for nurses with a BSN. You can get an associate degree in nursing but will eventually have to get the BSN. Nursing is one of the few professions where you can graduate and easily find a well paying job. It’s in demand and, the ones that go into it for the money typically don’t last long because it is stressful. That said, I think it’s foolish to get into triple digit debt in order to get a degree that you may not even use. What’s the point?

[@meggin9202]

Hi, L Zal! I understand that Nursing, and several other fields, are a HUGE exception to what I discuss in this talk. Engineering is another one. You're 100% right. It used to floor me when I met someone who wanted to be a nurse but enrolled in a school without a nursing program and majored in biology, for that reason. I always advised them to transfer ASAP.

[@ponongkhoo23]

She did say that if u wanna be a nurse you have to get a degree

[@missdesireindependance5194]

Many people have a variety of intreast and skills. Many of these skills are transferable. This why I like the liberal arts and social science feilds. If you decide you want to change careers you dont have to worry about returning to college.

[@daciacepeda161]

Thankfully my family has supported my English major even when it has a negative view.

[@cybermonkeyusa]

You do not go to college to find yourself. Just like anything, you have to get a goal and find out what you want to do and then go for it. Higher education is part of the problem. We are overly saturated with schools that were not around 50 years ago and we as tax payers are footing the bill. While I don't totally disagree with this presentation, a degree is something that can get you to the next level in any job. To this young lady, be careful... your job is at a state school and it is your job to help students focus and not wander around for four years finding themselves. Find yourself first and then go to college. Btw... there has never been any guarantee for an easy life because you go to college. Your major does matter. Colleges have just done a poor job of guiding students and having majors that have no use.

[@purpleey]

finding yourself is hard

[@rustysurgener7942]

You can major in anything, if you can come up with a way to utilize your major to make profit (i.e. a language major networking with a software engineer to develop an app to better learn language) you just have to be willing to take a risk.

[@winstonmao2192]

Knowing your passion is the most important thing. But majors do matter. A good major will determine how high you will start, but not how far you will make it. So major matters, as a starter. Bill Gates is not an good example, especially in nowadays, he had a rich family to help him to get started. For average Joes, a good major really really matters.!!!!!

[@BobbyDigital_100]

GRIT is all that is needed for success. People try so hard to validate college. I acquired mine (10yrs after high school) just bc it was a personal goal but it didn't affect my career trajectory whatsoever.

[@Sol-cj7br]

It would be better if the title focuses more on the job than major won't matter. I think having the right major is more than an important step to a career you want to pursue, it is the motivation on keeping up the homework and assignments while doing all the stuff as a college student... And to know that we're spending all our time and energy to educate ourselves for the skills of future career WE WANT is I think, crucial. I've known many people who chose the wrong major and needed motivation to go to campus and work on projects/assignments because they feel like it is a waste of time... And not many of them are eager enough to get out of the university and take a different major because of some conditions (financial, family, their own capacity, etc.). And people I personally know who get whatever job they could (not what they want), doesn't... really seem to be doing okay (or may seem like they're doing okay because they have no other choice, so as long as they have the salary, they don't like to think much abt the work they do). Instead, they tell me to get a nice grade from a major I choose, to get a nice job of my own choice, and that's a reality. They are totally different from people who get little salary from doing what they love. I mean, it is totally okay to pursue what you want, as all jobs are "real jobs" (or, no such thing as real job according to the video). And it is totally okay to have accidently (or not) chose the wrong major. You can always be someone you want to be, but you also have to have the capacity, skills, and good reason not to work based on your major (sad but true). Those are okay, but telling everyone that major doesn't really matter? It may be the case if the career I want to pursue doesn't consider much about major, but how if it does? (because obviously, many jobs requires you to have the right skill, which you get from education) Addition: also, what's the source of the statistics? What we see was the interpretation of the statistics, which I think, is generalized by her (I mean, she only tell the numbers and not the subject of the research, the variables, etc.)

[@pallasathena1555]

Going to college with the goal of getting a job is not education, it’s training. Education is about making you a more well rounded smarter person, training prescribes you skill to do a task. If you want a job get an apprenticeship, don’t go to college with the wrong expectations.

[@minhhoangmai363]

"Majoring" is actually one of the knowledge learned during university. It is a knowledge that helps learners have a certain understanding of the work they will do in the future, is a temporary tool to help in earning financial resources. In an era when everything is always changing and upgrading, that change also applies to humans, so working in a specialty will only last for a while and then it will be replaced by jobs with better income. In Vietnam, Pham Nhat Phuong is a geologist who has worked for a few years, but then he switched to business and then to development and investment in scientific technology. The major is just the knowledge that helps people have a stable income in the early years, but to be successful, the innovation and adaptation will be necessary.

[@devyncorvington7106]

I think these days GPA matters to a certain extent. But a lot of the time skills overcome gpa. If I was an employer I would rather higher someone that has experience in what I what them to do instead of getting good grades in classes that have nothing to do with it. Also a lot of the time its not about what you know its who you know. Networking is key.

[@logixindie]

With rich sources on the Internet today, you can litterally learn your career without paying as much as college costs. If you already know what you really love to do and willing to learn it the hard way, you can skip college. (If you can be really good in the career, that's what matter. College does help though but not for everyone.)

[@rashaud99]

@Logix Indie It is estimated that nearly 50% of information on the internet is incorrect because there are no quality controls in place that require accuracy or correctness. It also depends on what you want to do. You can't walk up to an engineering firm or a hospital saying you Googled how to design a bridge or how to perform heart surgery so you want to be a licensed engineer or a heart surgeon.

[@coppersense999]

The conclusion you get when you ask a recent teenager what matters in order to make money: 10:39. What actually matters: who you know.

[@kirkboo10]

The truth anyone watching this should take away is in the stats. "Only 19% of employers look for a specific major." and "78% of employers will hire any major." You should major in the 19% and major outside the 78% and you will always be in demand! (!HINT: THOSE JOBS ARE IN S.T.E.M.!)

[@andik70]

+Kirk Boo Full support of this. I also think she could have provided more data. One explanation would be that a high percentage of jobs is actually low-skilled work. One should check correlation of offered salary and request for a specific major. On a different note: she is just telling people what they like to hear, and not offering any real advice; that is actually quite bad (but I am sure her review sheets come in great!)

[@meggin9202]

+Kirk Boo So, here's the thing, though: Jobs that are "in demand" will change too. What offers security now only offers security because not enough people are doing those jobs. If lots of people follow that advice and choose majors in STEM, there won't be a high demand anymore. You can see this happened already in business. A business degree used to be considered a safe bet, but as the economy changed and SO many people got business degrees, it's become almost meaningless. Now that field is just as competitive as anything else. Now that our economy is changing so quickly (because of advances in tech and other STEM fields) a career in demand now might not be in 10 years.

[@Politickin]

+Megan Schwab You have a good point. I graduated with a major in business with a double concentration in supply chain management and marketing. I worked while I went to college. Sleepless nights and stressful assignments. Today I make less way than the national average salary and I work 6 days a week and my job position only requires a high school diploma.

[@andik70]

+Megan Schwab You shoudn't view the economy as a fixed sized 'pie' where things just get distributed. With the right set of skills of ppl the economy could grow, with the wrong sets shrink.

[@meggin9202]

Yes! I agree. There's a lot of room for growth in certain areas. But there's also a lot of change. It took only a few decades for our economy to shift from a manufacturing model to something driven by technology and media. But I do think that as more people are qualified to do STEM jobs, companies will be paying less for the basic knowledge and skill sets, and more for employees who bring something unique to the table. The more unique and specialized your skill set, the more you can charge for your time. And also, our economy could shift again, just as drastically, in future decades. Likely it will, now that technology is moving us so rapidly forward.

[@Heyitsmehyuppp]

I didn't want to go to college because I wanted to stay home and write. One look from my parents told me that wasn't an option. I had to tell them exactly what my plan was after I got my degree, because even after I graduate, writing isn't stable enough. And now I don't write anywhere near as much as I used to. Kinda depressing.

[@zweck4629]

Yeah, your major doesnt matter...... because if you study philosophy and russian literature youll surely have the skills to be a lab researcher, improved an engine for a new car or design a new building with maximum efficiency and without any structural flaws. There are plenty of jobs for which your major doesnt matter..... the kind that just requires employees to not be totally incompetent and get a few weeks of on the job training. Personally I wouldnt invest 4 years of my life and the money equivalent of a nice car for a certificate that only shows my potential employer that I must not be a total moron.

[@luvpinas123]

zweck4629 Yeah, I'm pretty sure that isn't the point of the video.

[@xXEpicOwnageXx]

I wanna be a homeless aerosol spray salesman

[@saulgonzalez1645]

wot?

[@thomasbayer1843]

Nas Boy And I want to be an unsuccessful shoe salseman!

[@fred1960]

They keep repeating the few examples of drop-outs who succeeded in business and life, like Steve Jobs, but you never hear about the thousands who miserably failed.

[@engifar9643]

This is so painful to listen to as a STEM graduate

[@iGoHam2]

Why babe?

[@elliottmalone3949]

THAT'S a mighty big claim about employers not paying attention to majors...... don't apply to any STEM careers with that fallacy in the back of your mind ... and also news flash, nobody wants to work! i would much rather sit at home eat candy and look at TV but i cant, the best advice i ever got was find something you can tolerate, because if everyone wanted to do it then it wouldn't pay .

[@jacobsoliz7934]

This was incredibly eye opening and a great video to reflect upon.

[@bianca_la]

College is absolutely important. I think we just have to figure out an effective way to avoid the unsmashable student loans.

[@infamouscrusader3363]

It depends on the job. Some jobs (yes, they pay well) do not involve going to University. As for the loans, students seriously need to not take them lightly. I pray for there to be a recession. I wouldn't say going to University is absolutely important (again, it depends on the field you go into) since some degrees are not worth pursuing. If you want to learn things just go to the library and internet if enlightenment is all you are searching.

[@josephbrennan370]

@@infamouscrusader3363 this virus might bring about a short recession for you.

[@infamouscrusader3363]

@@josephbrennan370 Thank God. I hope this will also bring an end to funding worthless degrees and over-credentialism as well as shake societies trends.

[@Andez182]

Just wanted to say, this really helped. Especially the last part.

[@theinformant9326]

Hard working in something you passionate about, won't be felt hard Low income in something you passionate about, won't be felt harsh But in order to do your passion you need to eat, sleep, and good vibe from good environment/house, also have access to all of this urban living security, unless we back to live in the jungle like our ancestor So, nope mam ! I will maintain balance between real job and not real job !

[@manishasen234]

I honestly found the ad preceding this TedTalk much more insightful. I find I really learn from the TedTalks, but I cannot say the same about this one! I am in Co-operative Education, and for all the positions I have applied for, they all state that candidates must have a particular major. Also, who wants to hire an Art History professor for an accounting role??

[@metalkez]

The world need more innovators and to be honest, a lot of our freedom of thought get lost with college. So I will leave college for who likes it, I will continue to write my book and see how it goes...

[@DrAdnan]

In the grand scheme of things your career doesn’t matter at all.

[@Jake12220]

In the grand scheme of things we all end up dead so guess u have a point.

[@Killarusca]

But we don't live enough to see the grand scheme of things, that's why its the little things that count

[@alicea5]

This is a good motivational video, keep people’s hope up. But reality is harsh. Following your passion is impossible if you can’t pay your bills. I know for a fact cause that is my life. When you have to stay afloat and scrub toilet to get by, don’t talk about passion-just try to find time for rest and hobbies that would enrich your life. But that doesn’t mean give up, stay optimistic. Most people won’t make it to the moon like the big boss but settle for some place among the stars.

[@rashaud99]

@Moua Xiong Exactly! I LOVED music growing up. I have a great singing voice and I was really good on saxophone. So naturally I tried becoming a professional musician/songwriter. I found out that no matter how much I loved it, it was hard because LOTS of people have great singing voices and were great musicians. And being a pro musician is NOT glamorous. It's a CONSTANT hustle with jobs only lasting through the weekend. Then you have to find another gig the next weekend and over and over and over. It's not sustainable for most people. Most people will NOT become Maroon 5 or Beyonce. Thankfully I also went to college and earned my engineering degree. I have a great family and career. I also do singing and music on the side and truly enjoy it. Dreams are great and I encourage people to keep having them. Nothing is wrong with that. But if you have to keep living with your parents until you're 35 because you haven't "made it" yet, you need to think about how realistic your dream is. It's not fair to your families to have to keep financially supporting your dreams that haven't materialized yet. Maybe you will become the next Steven Spielberg and produce the next hit movie. But most likely....you won't....no matter how much you love film making or whatever your passion is.

[@minhhoang-we4dt]

Thank you so much for your speech, miss Megan. I deeply agree with you that teachers at universities should teach more significant knowledge about "majoring" to hogh students who will be the new generationof employees work for nations in rhe future. People can do any dream job in a near future when they want and have passion, however they can not work well to develop national economy and also promote country's identity if their knowledge from studying at colleges or universities is forgotten. Not only that, any students need to get a degree from an university for job recruiting but many people (Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg) still have success without passing a college's program. To conclude, I also think that everyone has an opportunity to achieve success when they have passion, when they try hard and also when they get supports from surrounding relationships (friends, partners, parents or even teachers).

[@ashleyashleym2969]

The employers that don't care about what major you took in college are the same ones that you don't actually need a degree for. I got hired as a cashier in a grocery store and they didn't care about what I majored in, mainly because a degree isn't required but also because it doesn't actually matter. For jobs that actually pay well, aside for business, you have to take the major which coincides with the job.

[@clairewillow6475]

I graduated with a university major that was useless in terms of getting me a good job. Now I'm half way through a new degree, in a career program from a college. It's considered a step down in some people's eyes because I chose to go back to college instead of grad school at university. But I know I'm much more likely to get a job after I graduate this time. And I won't have to go in as much debt.

[@papakojowiafe-annor8847]

I admire your boldness

[@aimgold9866]

I appreciate the presentation, what I get most from this is that many jobs require other skills that are not necessarily in line with what we think would be required. Many skills cross over from one type of job to the other, like people skills, thinking creatively and having problem solving skills are some examples. Thanks for sharing!

[@NuclearSavety]

... what is a real job ... beeing an academic advisor and not knowing how to not ruin peoples lifes IS NO REAL JOB...

[@amandayaklin2690]

Passion can also come from other people

[@tobyroyson9336]

another of these 'think positive!' annoying types.

[@mattwong5403]

If you're not a CS, engineering, or nursing major, it's less about your area of study and more about having internship experience and skills you develop from your degree and how you market yourself to employers

[@Alliensloveart]

So Umm… what happens if you didn’t pursue your passions? You ended up going into the flow and began to pursue a degree in business management for the money. You wanted to be an artist as a kid but after talked down you gave in and gave up?… what if you are not the strong willed person who “did it anyways” what’s left?

[@blackpearl1t]

Fantastic talk! Thank you :)

[@Shogun973]

Lmao the black lady was like "no"

[@mynamesnotrick]

Bottom of the line: living in misery is a choice, and your major will never hold you back from finding happiness within yourself. You don’t need a surplus of money to be safe, happy, or successful.

[@alicea5]

There r jobs where your major doesn’t matter, but there r jobs that require certain education and experiences. There are more n more jobs asking for specific experiences or education to make up for experiences -I know because I had jobs where I believe I met the criteria’s but was sent an email stating I don’t. Then there are those jobs where I was top by others who have both education and experiences for an underpay position.

[@VideoVidYT]

It only matters if you go to year 12

[@VideoVidYT]

It does matter

[@BRiT297]

Wow.... this was so incredible thank you. 💙

[@cindyhalpern3187]

Good talk!

[@michaellam1548]

When no one laughed at her jokes

[@phiAndpi]

A real job is one that is going to have profound effect upon society

[@batata_dog]

I study for Barista and still not getting a job.. god bless my f*cking country

[@DarthMessias]

So life is an open-world video game? Yeih!

[@marcelo.bassalo]

Yeah but most people have low inteligence spec.

[@LOLMAN22]

i learned this the hard way. wasted time and money on a BBA when I should have been pursuing computer science. I listened to my dad and got screwed...

[@CykaBlyatttttT]

Sorry to hear that. I guess the best way to dig yourself out of that mess would be to get 2 full time low paying jobs, and to just live minimalistically until you've paid off the debt or maybe to self teach yourself computer programming.

[@bigulful]

It's not your dad's fault. You decided to go along with it.

[@xXEpicOwnageXx]

ha listening to his parents! what a dolt! am i right

[@elliottmalone3949]

Whats wrong with A bba ? im guessing it wasnt a BSBA? if you notice the professors in the college of Business Administration always makes the more than any of area besides engineering. (and if its MIS or CIS) they usually make just as much if not more.

[@kauancorte541]

I dropped out computer science college. It wasn't really my cup of tea, hated calculus, logic, programming, calculus too hard and programming too dull. I chose it because the workforce lacks of IT workers, I speak English, I was into math, salaries ARE really appealing. I will major in international Relations instead or languages, since I am into them. Chase your dream, it's not too late, is it? You don't necessarily need to go to college to learn how to code.

[@Zaugr]

Amazing and inspiring talk! :) Couldn't agree more.

[@YazminA.Sanchez]

I get the idea. But as an international student to be hired and get a work visa, employers must employ me by my major, which according to the statistic shown, that reduces my possibility to a 19% I know the main idea is that it doesn't matter your degree if you have the skills you can be whatever you want to be. But in my situation, I have to be hired because employers need a _____ major, additional skills are just a plus.

[@bhaveshmohota]

Truly inspiring

[@IsmeThebest]

Lol I totally disagree. Any university degree puts you ahead of others and facilitates your way to promotion. I have a friend who works in a low position in the UN and is not allowed promotion simply because he has no masters. He is now old, has a family to take care of but no degree so no promotion. This is just one of many examples. Degree IS very important today. For entrance and for promotion

[@benbenson5776]

bill gates is not a really good example because he his a genius

[@alyssabaker5063]

Ben Benson Being a genius isn't exactly correlated with going to college, then, is it? It's based on his thought processes. That doesn't disprove her point.

[@benbenson5776]

how does it proove her point if the examples she gives are way outside the norm. You cannot derive lessons for the majority from people that are extraordnary. so the majority of people will need degrees to succeed (worthy degrees that is)

[@alyssabaker5063]

It shows that the potential is in the person.

[@benbenson5776]

but by far not the same amount of potential

[@justinparker7902]

Mark zuckerberg could barely program, he applied psychology to facebook and saw what programmers couldn't

[@xlysxy]

So I can sign structural drawings without a degree in engineering, and a PE license? I guess my CPA can also sign audit papers winthout an accounting degree or a CPA license.

[@stellawangui588]

I think this is very misleading for anyone who hasn't gone to college yet...reality on the ground is very different.

[@writtenpieceopaper1]

A+ for effort but "The Art of Thinking Clearly" kind of warns against this with survivor-ship bias. There is however merit to thinking for yourself to assign meaning but I think it needs to be balanced with a certain sense of pragmatism.